What are Position Sensors and Encoders
Position Sensors measure a physical parameter known as position in an application and provide feedback to a control system or operator.
They can provide position feedback for a number of different systems including motors and actuators. Industrial position sensors are different than their “on board” counterparts: They have been ruggedized, allowing for sensing in environmentally demanding applications that are dirty, have extreme temperatures, or are subject to high shock.
Position Sensors Types
- Encoders: converts rotary motion or position into a series of digital electronic pulses, that are used for either speed feedback or position measurements.
- Hall Effect Sensors: also convert position and speed into an electronic signal, usually analog that are used for either feedback or measurement.
- Potentiometers: convert either rotary or linear motion from an object within an application into a voltage that represents position.
- Inclinometers: provide information on angles of elevation, or depression of an application.
Types of Encoders
- Incremental encoders provide instantaneous feedback for relative speed or position measurements. They do not know where the input shaft is upon power up or power loss
- Absolute encoders know where they are at all times. They provide a “whole word” output with a unique code pattern representing each change of shaft position. This unique code means that they preserve the shaft position even through a power down/power up cycle.
- Multi-turn absolute encoders provide exact position information for each shaft turn. In addition, they also keep track of position over multiple turns of the input shaft.
Position Sensor Applications
Sensata’s position sensors are ideal for many industrial applications. Here are some of the most common :
- Factory Automation
- People Moving Machinery
- Agriculture Equipment
- Oil & Gas Equipment
- Material Handling
- Construction & Mining Equipment
- HVOR
- Robotics
